Manual

19
FIRING CONT’D.
A lesser amount of trigger pressure and motion are necessary to fire
the revolver when the hammer is in the cocked position. As in any fir-
ing situation, continue to exercise great care in handling a revolver
which has been placed in the single action or cocked mode.
Doub
le Action Firing*
While holding the grips firmly, pull the trigger fully to the rear.
The hammer will move rearward and then fall forward to fire the
revolver. Never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. After
firing, you must allow the trigger to move forward fully before you can
fire another shot. Failure to do so will prevent the lockwork from fully
cycling and will prevent your being able to fire the next shot. Keep
your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are
ready to fire again. Do not touch or otherwise interfere with the travel
of the hammer during double action firing.
* This is the only mode of operation possible on Smith & Wesson
Centennial models (with enclosed non-visible hammer) such as
models 296, 332, 340, 342, 442, 640, 642 and 940.
Single Action Firing
With your fingers outside of the trigger guard and a firm hold on the
grips, place the thumb of your non-shooting hand on the hammer
spur. Pull the hammer fully rearward until it is cocked as shown in
Figure 12. The action of pulling the hammer to the rear until it is
cocked will also cause the trigger to move rearward. The revolver will
now fire in the single action mode, requiring significantly less trigger
pressure than in the double action mode.
Never touch the trigger until you are ready to fire. To fire, pull the
trigger and hold it rearward. After firing, you must allow the trigger
to move fully forward before you can fire another shot. Failure to do
so will prevent the lockwork from fully cycling and will prevent your
being able to fire the next shot. Keep your finger off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard until you are ready to fire again.
W
ARNING: Always keep the barrel pointed in a safe
direction!
W
ARNING: Only place the revolver in the single action
mode when you are fully prepared to fire.
Decoc
king (or uncocking):
If you decide not to fire in single action from a cocked position, con-
tinue to point the firearm in a safe direction. Decock the revolver as
follows:
(1) Place the thumb of your free hand between the hammer and the
frame of the handgun to prevent the hammer from moving fully
forward until your finger is off the trigger and out of the trigger
guard. (Fig. 13)
(2) Place the thumb of your firing hand on the hammer spur. You
must always control the hammer with your thumbs when
decocking the handgun. If the hammer slips while the trigger is
held to the rear and you have failed to block the hammer travel,
your handgun will fire. (Figure 13)